Materials & compliance
What is blister packaging, and how is it different from a clamshell?
Short answer
A blister pack is a formed plastic cavity (the blister) sealed to a backing: aluminium foil for tablets and capsules, or printed board for retail goods. A clamshell is a single hinged plastic pack that closes on itself with no backing. Blisters are usually PVC or PET film; AVI makes AVI Blis PVC film from 150 to 800 microns, with a PVDC-coated barrier option.
Part of the guides: Pack types explained: punnets, clamshells, trays and more and PVC, blister and specialty films guide
- AVI Blis thickness150–800 microns
- Barrier optionPVDC coating
- Pharma useTablets and capsules
AVI's blister films
- AVI Blis PVC Films for Pharmaceutical Blister PackagingPremium PVC sheet blend for pharma packaging. AVI Blis offers PVDC coating, chemical resistance & DMF registration.
- APET Sheets for Thermoforming, Printing & PackagingAVI Global Plast produces high-quality APET sheets for thermoforming, blister and box packaging. Customisable...
- Pharma Blister PackagingAVI Blis blister film for pharma packaging — DMF-registered, free from heavy metals, ISO 9001:2015, EU and REACH...
Two kinds of blister
- Pharmaceutical: tablets and capsules in PVC or PET cavities sealed with aluminium foil. The film must suit the drug's moisture and light sensitivity, and the pack is part of the product's registration.
- Retail (consumer goods): toys, tools, cosmetics and hardware in a clear blister sealed to a printed card.
Blister or clamshell
| Blister | Clamshell | |
|---|---|---|
| Parts | Plastic cavity + backing | One hinged plastic piece |
| Closing | Heat-sealed to foil or card | Snaps or seals shut |
| Typical use | Medicines, small retail goods | Fresh produce, food, larger retail goods |
Making blister film
AVI Blis is extruded for cold-crack resistance and shrinkage control, which matter on high-speed blister lines. For PVC-free briefs, APET and PETG sheet are the alternatives.
Related questions
Blister or strip packaging?
In a strip pack the tablet is sealed between two flat foils with no formed cavity; in a blister the tablet sits in a formed plastic pocket you can see through.
What is alu-alu blister packaging?
Both the cavity and the lid are aluminium laminate, for medicines that need full protection from light and moisture. Clear PVC or PET blisters show the product; a PVDC coating raises their barrier.